A Privileged Affair
at PriveSalon

By A. Brooks

Tucked within New York's Soho Grand Hotel, Prive Salon is a mecca of services, products and most of all talented hair stylists and colorists.

It all starts with Laurent Dufourg, owner and stylist to the stars. With a Prive Salon located in the heart of Los Angeles and also in Seoul, Korea, he is in constant demand from a long list of celebs from Gweneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone to Johnny Depp. His background in hair is impeccable and he is a master of his art, with training from the world famous Claude Maxime in Paris. He later opened his own salon first in Marbella and then in Costa del sol in Spain, launching him to the status of trailblazer of new styles and trends in hair.

Prive New York hosts about 30 employees who come from many different cultures, backgrounds and ages. The salon is designed with a french provincial feel, accented by warm, gold-hued bricks from an 18th century chateau. All sophisticated touches that create a feeling of pamper and privilege as you sit back in comfy chairs, awaiting your new look.

The shampoo room is especially relaxing with shades of blue and green tiles from floor to ceiling, adding a nice, cool spa feel. An in-house "Daily" shampoo is used for cuts and a "Repairitive" shampoo for color. All products are specifically formulated by Laurent and his wife Fabienne, with the finest natural ingredients.

Frederique, my French stylist of 12 years studied with Tony & Guy in London. A warm and knowlegable cutter, she has mastered the slide technique that she says begins with a solid foundation cut while the hair is still wet and then ends with decorative snips after it is blowed out.

My colorist, Lucio, has been with the salon for eight of the ten years that they have been open and is frequently booked for his Japanese Hair straightening process, although he is a true master of color. His color process is called Balleage, where the highlights are painted on instead of using foil raps. You do not see the line of demarkation and the results are longer lasting. Afterwards, an in-house gloss sets the tone and seals the cuticle, creating shine and body.

Thriving within the indulgence of the salon, it was back to reality as I exited with my gorgeous new look, only to be pounded by the New York elements outside. I must return on a sunny day, to re-live the experience.

Open seven days a week, Prive NY is located at 310 West Broadway. Tel: 212.274.8888, or go to www.privesalon.com for more information.